Water availability under the Texas water rights system

Abstract

Simulation studies of demands on Texas water supplies point to the complexities of administering and modeling a water allocation system.Texas recently established a surface water rights permit system, similar to those of other western states. A simulation study of the Brazos River Basin identified issues and concerns that illustrate the practical complexities of administering and modeling a water allocation system. Key considerations involve sharing of limited supplies by numerous water users during drought, reservoir storage priorities, multiple‐reservoir system operations, water quality constraints, return flows, hydrologic data compilation, and reliability assessment. The issues affecting evaluation of water availability within the Texas water rights system are representative of other states as well.